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The Parrot Speaks – This act must be condemned

Jun 18, 2008 Features / Columnists

The Parrot had already prepared a squawk in condemnation of the racial slurs implied in a cartoon that appeared in last Sunday’s edition of the Big Market paper. However, I am forced to hold it following the arson attempt on the National Cultural Centre (NCC) last Monday evening. I will revisit the cartoon issue in a subsequent squawk.

In my opinion, both issues are of equal importance and can have profound consequences on our nation. However, given the immediate impact of the attempt to destroy the “Mecca” of local theatre, the NCC, in the run-up to CARIFESTA X, my sense of patriotism has “driven” this squawk.

To say that I am outraged at this deliberate unpatriotic act would be an understatement. I know investigations are still being conducted, so I may be constrained to some extent. My constraints would not prevent me from making, what may seem to be, an obvious assumption.

This assumption (I know what you will say when one assumes, but that’s the fittest terminology that can be used since I am still constrained by the investigations) follows the protest actions and irresponsible statements made by the Palm Tree party down at the Place of CONgress.

The world is fully aware of the reasons for the unprecedented high food and fuel prices. This means that it is unfair to blame governments whose countries depend on fuel and food imports. It is in this context that the demands of the residents of the Place of CONgress are not only unfair and outrageous, but unrealistic.

This I am sure they are not unaware of. Therefore, their arguments of high prices as reasons for their baseless protests can be deemed as “red herrings” used not only to sabotage the hosting of this premier Arts festival, but to openly embarrass Guyana.

The attack on the NCC must be seen in the same light as the attack on the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the attempt to disrupt the official launching of the festival on April 23 last. It seems clear that efforts have been intensified to realise the threat to indeed make the hosting of the festival “unmanageable”.

Similarly, efforts must be intensified by all Guyanese to reject and condemn these despicable and seditious acts of an unpatriotic few.

The Parrot urges the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and, by extension the government, not to become despondent by these deplorable acts, but to stay resolutely on course for the homecoming of this brainchild of Guyana on August 22 of this year.

While the police must be supported in their investigations and those responsible be brought to face the full force of the law, security must now be enhanced at venues identified to host events for the festival. This must be done now.

The Parrot eagerly looks forward to reading the letter pages of our dailies to see the condemnation of this act especially from those who are not hesitant to chastise government for even frivolous reasons.

However, I would exercise “cautious optimism” in this regard since some of the “chastisers” may be residents or affiliates of the Place of CONgress. Squawk! Squawk!

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